September 2011 service center shipments remained above 2010 levels for steel products in both the US and Canada. Inventory positions remained near August levels for both metals in both countries.

US Service Centers shipped 3,401,800 tons of steel products in the month of September, 2011. This represents an increase of 7.4% from September 2010. Year to date, steel shipments were 31,074,500 tons, an increase of 15.9% from the same period in 2010.

Steel product inventories were 8,502,100 tons at the end of September 2011, an increase of 12.9% over September a year ago and an increase of 0.5% from last month. At the current shipping rate, this represents 2.5 months supply in inventory, an increase of 5.1% from a year ago.

Canadian Service Centers shipped 556,900 tons of steel products in the month of September 2011. This represents an increase of 10.1% from September 2010. For 2011 year to date steel shipments were 4,805,500 tons, an increase of 12.0% from the same period in 2010.

Steel product inventories were 1,563,600 tons at the end of September 2011, an increase of 18.9% from September a year ago and a decrease of 3.9% from last month. At the current shipping rate, this represents 2.8 months supply in inventory, an increase of 7.9% from a year ago.

Founded in 1909, the Metals Service Center Institute has more than 370 members operating from about 1,200 locations in the US, Canada, Mexico, and elsewhere in the world.

(Sourced from msci.org)